Michelle Roberts, a digital health editor at BBC News, has reported that the UK has compiled a list of 24 infectious diseases that are considered to be the greatest potential threat to public health in the future. These diseases range from viruses with pandemic potential, like Covid, to illnesses without current treatments that could cause significant harm. Among the diseases listed are avian flu and mosquito-spread illnesses, which may become more prevalent as temperatures rise due to climate change. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) hopes that this watch list will encourage scientists and investors to develop new tests, vaccines, and medications to be better prepared.
There is no specific ranking within the list of infectious diseases, as the threats are constantly evolving, according to Prof Isabel Oliver, Chief Scientific Officer at UKHSA. The list will be updated at least once a year to prevent a situation like the Covid pandemic, where experts were preparing for a different outbreak altogether. Prof Mark Woolhouse, from the University of Edinburgh, emphasized the importance of adjusting responses quickly to new threats, citing the Covid pandemic as an example of the consequences of a delayed response. The UKHSA’s pathogen prioritization exercise is seen as a valuable contribution to global efforts to understand and prepare for potential future pandemics.
The potential threats on the list include a family of viruses called Paramyxoviridae, which includes measles, as well as bacterial infections like gonorrhea that are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics. Prof Woolhouse highlighted the concern over a novel measles-like virus that would be highly contagious and difficult to control, posing a potentially greater threat than Covid, especially to children. Prof Oliver mentioned that the UKHSA will collaborate with animal health experts for future updates, as many new outbreaks are zoonotic diseases that can jump from animals to humans. This collaborative approach aims to address both known and emerging infectious threats effectively.
The list of 24 diseases and pathogens identified as potential threats to public health includes a range of infections such as Norovirus, MERS, Ebola, and various strains of influenza. From mosquito-borne illnesses to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, the watch list serves as a framework to guide preparedness and response efforts to mitigate the impact of future health threats. By proactively identifying and prioritizing these risks, the UKHSA aims to ensure that the global community remains vigilant and ready to combat infectious diseases that may emerge in the years to come
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